Many Buy Food Outside the Hotel, Indonesian Hajj Pilgrims' Breakfast Menu Changed

Dream - The Saudi Arabian Hajj Organizer (PPIH) for the year 2023 has changed the breakfast menu for Indonesian pilgrims. Previously, they were given bread, but this year they are given rice, side dishes, and mineral water.

"If the basic package is bread, the options are one croissant, or two cupcakes, or one puff pastry," said Chairman of PPIH Saudi Arabia, Subhan Cholid, in Mecca on Monday, June 19, 2023.

However, when the breakfast menu was given, it turned out that many pilgrims decided to buy rice breakfast outside the hotel.

Subhan explained that this kind of breakfast package had been implemented in 2019. At that time, the pilgrims received it 40 times, consisting of 20 times for lunch and dinner, while for breakfast, they received bread.

"In practice, many pilgrims buy rice breakfast from several Indonesian vendors around the hotel," he said.

Therefore, on the instructions of Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, this year PPIH conducted several evaluations and studies to see the suitable breakfast menu for the pilgrims.

"So, breakfast in the morning in the form of bread or snacks has been evaluated. That is not in accordance with the habit of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims who usually have rice for breakfast," said Subhan.

"Especially on the 5th and 6th of Zulhijjah, the pilgrims will be given a breakfast menu consisting of bread and instant noodles. As for lunch and dinner, they will still have rice," he added.

Subhan added that the determination of food menus, including the pilgrims' breakfast, from the beginning involved a catering supervision team consisting of nutrition experts and lecturers from the Bandung School of Tourism (STP) along with nutrition experts from the Ministry of Health.

According to the team's explanation, the breakfast menu served has at least fulfilled the carbohydrates and protein needs of the pilgrims to keep them energized.

"And no less importantly, in accordance with the habit of Indonesian pilgrims who usually have rice for breakfast, not bread," he concluded.

Hajj Pilgrims' Rice Breakfast Menu

There are seven breakfast menus served, namely:

1. Yellow Rice, Scrambled Egg with Onion and Red Chili, Mineral Water
2. Uduk Rice, Green Chili Tempeh Stir-Fry, Mineral Water
3. Fried Rice, Anchovies and Peanut Chili, Mineral Water
4. Yellow Rice, Scrambled Egg with Red Chili, Mineral Water
5. Uduk Rice, Fried Chicken with Flour, Mineral Water
6. Fried Rice, Green Chili Tempeh Stir-Fry, Mineral Water
7. Yellow Rice, Anchovies and Peanut Chili, Mineral Water

source: Kemenag.go.id.